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American Luger Emily Sweeney Involved In Scary Crash During Final Olympics Run

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — American luger Emily Sweeney avoided serious injury in a frightening crash that knocked her out of the Pyeongchang Olympics on Tuesday during the final heat of the competition.

The diagnosis was that Sweeney had only some bumps and bruises.

"I'm OK," Sweeney said.

Sue Sweeney, center, the mother of Emily Sweeney of the United States, cries out as her daughter crashes on the final run during the women's luge final.

(AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Sweeney lost control around Curve 9, the track's most treacherous spot, and then began careening all over the track. She wound up sliding feet-first up one curve toward the track roof before getting thrown from her sled and eventually tumbling to a stop.

Many in the crowd looked at the monitors, horrifed. The stands were filled with fans cheering raucously, and they immediately went silent waiting for some sort of sign that Sweeney would be all right.

Curve 9 has been a problem for sliders throughout the early portion of the Olympics, causing many to skid, lose control and lose some time. Crashes, however, have not come as often as they did in the 2006 and 2010 Games, both of which left athletes openly complaining about track safety.

Emily Sweeney of the United States crashed on her final run, but only suffered minor bumps and bruises.

(ARND WIEGMANN/REUTERS)

Later in the final run, Britcher lost control at the start and collided with some walls — but got down the track without crashing or serious injury.